Months passed under Kael's devilish training.
The deck of the Oro Jackson was no longer the wailing purgatory of two crying brats it had become their playground of sweat and growth.
The boys who once collapsed after a hundred laps could now sprint two hundred while carrying weights, shouting at each other mid-run.
The weak arms that once struggled to lift an anchor could now haul entire crates of cannonballs with ease.
Their progress was undeniable.
Shanks had grown taller, his frame lean but solid, the softness in his eyes replaced by firm resolve.
Buggy remained smaller, but his movements had gained a feline sharpness. The same eyes that once only gleamed for treasure now shone with sly awareness every time he entered a fight.
That afternoon, sunlight poured warmly over the deck.
Shanks and Buggy had just finished an entire session of slashes and thrusts. Sweat dripped from their hair, glinting as it slid down their cheeks.
"Hey, you two!" Gaban called out from the rail, grinning. "You train all day, but can you actually fight? Why not show us a real match?"
The deck erupted instantly.
Nozdon paused mid-cleaning of a cannon. Doringer leaned out from the lookout post. Even Rayleigh, steering the ship, looked over with clear amusement.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
"I'm betting on Shanks! He's got Captain Roger's style down!"
"No way! Buggy's too crafty to lose that easily!"
Soon, wagers were being thrown around.
Buggy's eyes lit up the moment he heard the word bet. He tapped the handle of his dagger against his palm and raised his chin at Shanks with a smirk.
"Hey, Redhead! You got the guts to face me? Loser's allowance for the next month goes to the winner!"
"Bring it on, Red Nose!" Shanks grinned, drawing his sword. The blade caught the light as he pointed it straight at Buggy. "Time to see how far I've come!"
The two brats squared off, while the crew cleared the area, forming a natural ring around them.
Roger appeared out of nowhere, carrying a barrel of rum, his grin wide and childlike. "Kuhahahaha! Let them fight! Let's see what they've got!"
Kael, as always, lounged in the shade of the main mast, orange juice in hand, quietly observing.
The fight began.
Shanks struck first.
He lunged forward, his sword whistling through the air in a clean, powerful slash aimed straight at Buggy's center.
The movement carried Roger's spirit bold, straightforward, fearless. Still a bit rough, but already taking shape.
"Too predictable!" Buggy sneered, dropping low and sliding sideways with slick agility, dodging the strike by inches.
His dagger flashed like a snake's tongue, stabbing back toward Shanks' wrist.
Clang!
Shanks twisted his wrist, turning his sword just in time to block the counterattack.
Their first exchange ended in a split-second draw.
The crew roared in excitement.
"Damn, Buggy's fast!"
"And Shanks' form looks sharp as hell!"
On the deck, the pace quickened.
Shanks pressed forward like a relentless tide each swing heavy and decisive, his attacks radiating sheer force.
Buggy moved like a slick sea eel, never facing power head-on, always slipping away and waiting for his chance to strike back.
His fighting style was cunning, practical, and dangerously opportunistic.
Then he made his move.
Buggy deliberately left an opening, luring Shanks into a full-force slash.
Just as the sword came down, he kicked up a handful of dust from the deck, sending it flying straight into Shanks' face.
"Cheap trick!" Shanks hissed, flinching and turning away.
Buggy's grin widened. Now!
He darted forward, crouched low, and crossed his daggers like shears, aiming for Shanks' throat.
"It's over! Your allowance is mine!"
But before he could land the blow, Shanks did something completely unexpected.
Instead of retreating, he stepped forward.
Driving his shoulder straight into Buggy's chest!
Bam!
The collision sent both stumbling back, a move so reckless it stunned everyone.
Buggy coughed, rubbing his aching ribs. "You idiot! Who fights like that?!"
"It's not over yet!" Shanks steadied himself, fire blazing in his eyes.
He inhaled deeply and raised his sword his stance now almost identical to Roger's.
Roger's laughter boomed from the sidelines. "Kuhahahaha! That's my boy! Look at that form!"
Buggy's face grew serious. He knew this was the final exchange.
He crouched slightly, daggers raised in defense, eyes locked on Shanks' every move.
"Raaahhh!!!"
Shanks swung with everything he had.
Buggy crossed his daggers, channeling all his strength into blocking the blow.
CLANG!!!
Steel met steel, sparks bursting like fireworks.
For a moment, they held then Buggy's arms trembled violently as a crushing force surged through his blades.
The shock split his grip, tearing open his palms. His daggers bent backward under the pressure before flying from his hands.
Shanks' sword stopped just short of Buggy's nose, the sharp wind of its swing ruffling his blue hair.
The match was over.
Silence fell for half a heartbeat then the deck exploded with cheers.
"Shanks wins!"
"What a fight!"
Buggy stared at the sword before him, panting. He clicked his tongue, dropped to the floor, and let out a long sigh not angry, not defeated, but frustrated. So close.
Shanks withdrew his sword and stood there, breathing hard, the flush of victory lighting up his face.
Kael watched quietly from the shade, a rare smile softening his usual smirk.
Good. Very good. Shanks' progress was remarkable and Buggy wasn't far behind.
Maybe, just maybe, they'd one day rival a certain genius who worked two hundred times harder.
The orange juice in his hand tasted sweeter than usual.
All the rain he'd made them endure hadn't gone to waste.
Watching those two brats grow from crying snot-noses to real fighters it was a kind of satisfaction no treasure could buy.
"Kuahahaha! Well done! You're both fine pirates now!" Roger bellowed, striding forward and lifting both boys off the ground in one motion.
"Put me down, Captain! I lost, damn it!" Buggy squawked, still flailing.
"You both fought splendidly," Rayleigh added, smiling warmly.
The rest of the crew surged forward in celebration.
"Let's toast to our newest real pirates!" Gaban shouted.
Before either of them could react, Shanks and Buggy were tossed high into the air by the laughing crew.
"Waaaahhh!!!"
"Put me down! I'm afraid of heights!!!"
Under the vast blue sky, the two boys soared up and down as the Oro Jackson rang with the laughter of legends.
Kael just chuckled, shook his head, and downed the last sip of his orange juice.
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